Railroad signal



I y Lllllllllllllllll-w- March 4 1924. 1,485,877

J. W. osBoRNE RAILROAD SIGNAL Filed March l5. 1923 5 14 ucv n oz @9i hws @Mornago l e To allfwhom z't may concern:

Patented Mar. 4, 19,24.

PAT

JOHN' W; OSBOBNE, 0F WINCHESTER, ILLINOIS, ASISIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 HENRY ,1,485,877 ENT OFFICE. Y

G. SIX.

"RAILROAD SIGNAL.

I, Application led March 15. 1923. l Serial No. 625,322.

Beit known that I, JOHN W. OsBoRNE, a citizen of the United States, residin at Winchester, in the county of Scott and tate of I\llinois, have invented certain new and iuseful Im rovements in Railroad Signals; and I do eclare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates. broadl 'to improvements in railroad signals vo the type employed athighway crossings to warn approaching pedestrians `and automobile drivers of forthcoming danger, but the invention has more specific reference to a unique sound producing device for use in connection with such signal.

The principal object of the invention .is to provide a unique sound producing device for use in connection with signals of the above types wherein automatically controlled means is employed for producing air' currents in a sound amplifyingchamber wherein a novel vibrating medium is contained to be acted on by the incoming air.

More specifically, it is another object of the invention to provide a train controlled electrical device for automatically driving a vbladed rotor which serves to create a strong air current for acting on the vibrating medium located in the sound amplifying chamber.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent during the course ofthe following description.

In the accompanyingrdrawings forming` a part of this specification and in which, like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 1s a view 4showing a perspective view of a portion of a railroad track with the circuit closing means associated therewith and the' improved signal device` (in side elevation) with which the circuit wires are connecte' .t I

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section., with arts in elevation, through the improve sound` producing device. v

Figures tions taken on the line 3--3of Fig. -2 lookin in opposite directions respectively.

efore proceeding with the detailed description of the invention, I wish to point 3 and 4 are enlarged cross sec-` out that the novelty of the present inventlon resldes more or less, as before indicated, in the provision of unique sound sound producing means can be used in connection with various other forms of signals.

In the drawings, the letter R designates4 generally portions of a railroad track with one rail of which an angle iron I is -asy sociated.l This iron is spring-pressed as is shown' so that after it is de ressed by the train, it will be automatical y returnedy to its normal position. As usual, this depressible iron carries one element of a. suitable form of switch S and the usual wires are connected with these switch elements so that the circuit will be completed when the switch is closed. It is of course understood that the switch is not rclosed until the wheels of the train. run over the'angle iron and depress it a predeterminedv degree. The wires W are connected with batteries placed in a concrete box or the like B which is preferably embedded in the ground G below the surface thereof tov guard againstl freezing of ther batteries.`

The foregoing details are old and well known and constitute no part of the present invention which, as before indicated, resides in the provision of aunique sound producing device for use in connection vwith the foregoing details. Although, the improved device could be of some other construction,

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the sound waves introduced into this chamber when the device is in action as will hereinafter become obvious. The compartment 5 is formed at one end with an air discharge opening 8 and the compartment 4 is provided at the center of its removable closing plate 9 with a relatively large intake opening in the closing plate 9. So that the incoming air will produce audible sound Waves, provide a unique vibrating means whichpreferably comprises a series of metal tongues or reeds 11 arranged in openings formed in a carrying plate 12 bolted or otherwise secured to the inner face of the closing plate 9 to dispose the vibrating elements l1 at the same end of the horn. Although it is not esntial, I prefer to employ in conjunction with the aforesaid details, a second horn 13 and l connect this horn with the sound amplifying chamber d at any. suitable point.- it is yet to be pointed out that suitable wires are of course connected with the aforesaid batteries and these lead to the motor 6 kto supply current thereto for driving` the bladed rotor;

romrthe foregoin it is obvious thlat t e when the angle iron y is depressed b will wheels of a passing train, the switch be closed and a circuit will be completed` to v set the rotor 7 into rotation. As the rotor revolves rapidly, it will suck air through the large horn 10 into the compartment a and as the vibrating elements 1l are disposed at the constricted end of this horn, it will be obvious that these will be freely vibrated to produce audible sound Waves which will be considerably amplified in the charnber 4 and discharged through the small horn 13 in the `form of audible sounds which will be of sufficient intensity to be heard ata considerable distance by automobile drivers and pedestrians approaching the railroad crossing, Hence, they will e warned of an approaching train and can protect themselves against injury at the crossing track while in danger.

To add to the edectiveness of the device, l

contemplate arranging'a small dome D on top of the Casin 2 and in this dome I place an electric' bul which Iis simultaneously Lasne?? lighted when the audible signal is actuated and is rendered visible through the glass wall of the dome. Also,'if desired, a stop si A may be mounted on top ofthe dome.. ence, the stop sign `Will serve in the daytime to indicate the approach of a railroad crossing and the light will serveat night.

By carefully considering the description in connection with the drawings, persons familiar with. devices of this class will doubt less be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention. Therefore, amore lengthy and detailed description is deemed unnecessar Siince probably the best results Vmay be obtained with the construction and arrangement herein shown and described, 'this is taken as the preferred embodiment of` the invention. However, l wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the Scope of the invention as claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

1. in an audible signal, a tapered air intake passage, a vibrating medium located at the small end of the passage, and automatically operated means spaced in back of said vibrating medium ,for producing a suction in the passa e to direct currents of air against the vibrating medium.

2; lin an audible signal, acasing, an air intake connected thereto, vibrating elements in the casing in the path of the air, and a rotor in the casing for drawing air into it and against the 'vibrating elements.

3. n automatically operable audible signal comprising a casing having air intake and discharge openin' anoutwardly dared horn connected to sai intake, a bladed rotor in the casing inj horizontal alinem'ent with the axis of t e horn, and vibrating elements located in the path of the air.

4. An automatically operable audible signal comprising an elongated casing having openings in its ends, a flared air intake horn connected with one of said openings, vibrating means at the inner end of sa1dhorn,a partition dividing said casing into separate compartments, a motor in one compartment and-a rotor driven thereb and arranged in the other compartment ty said vibratingmeans, and a sound emitting. and amplifying horn leading from said last named compartment. In testimony `whereof li have hereunto' afred my signature.

JOHN W. OSBORNE.

or co-action with` esv 

